March 22-31, 2025

Average temperatures were above normal for most of the region by 2-5°F (Figure 1). In far northern sections of the Upper Midwest, specifically Michigan’s UP, northern Wisconsin, and Minnesota’s Arrowhead region, average temperatures were 2-4°F below normal for the week. This generally mirrored the placement of frontal boundaries during the period. A stationary front was present over southern Michigan and southern Wisconsin during the second half of the week, which kept air to the north generally cooler than many places south of I-80 (Figure 2).

Minimum temperatures followed a similar pattern, with temperatures 2-5°F above normal for the lower half of the region (Figure 3). In central Illinois, minimum temperatures were as much as 6°F above normal for the week. In Columbus, Ohio, a minimum temperature of 63°F was observed on March 29, which was tied with three other dates in Columbus for the second warmest minimum temperature in March since records began in 1878. In Dayton, Ohio, a minimum temperature of 65°F was observed on March 29, which was 28°F above normal and the second warmest March temperature in Dayton since records began in 1893.

Maximum temperatures were especially anomalous. Far southern parts of the region observed maximum temperatures that averaged 7-9°F above normal (Figure 4). In Waterloo, Iowa, a temperature of 85°F was observed on March 28, which was 32°F above normal and tied for the 4th warmest March temperature in Waterloo since records began in 1895. Milwaukee, Wisconsin observed a temperature of 77°F on March 28, which was 29°F above normal and the warmest March temperature there since 2012. Peoria, Illinois observed a temperature of 82°F on March 28, which was the warmest March temperature since 2012. In St. Louis, the temperature rose to 83°F on March 28, which was the 5th 80°F+ day this month, making it the 4th most 80°F days in the month of March in St. Louis since records began in 1874.

Precipitation/Severe Weather/Drought

Precipitation was generally more plentiful during this period, with some of it falling as winter precipitation types. This was especially the case across the far northern reaches of the region in Michigan’s UP and northern Wisconsin, which observed over 400 percent of normal precipitation (Figure 5). In northern Wisconsin and the UP, roughly a foot of snow was observed, with isolated pockets of the UP picking up more than that. A potent storm system late in the period brought initially rain, followed by snow and ice to the Upper Midwest. 18.9 inches of snowfall was observed in Marquette, Michigan on March 30, the 5th largest daily snowfall in March since records began in 1961. This ultimately led to the 5th snowiest March for the Marquette area, with 53.50 inches of snow by the end of the week. In parts of northern lower Michigan, there was over one inch of ice accumulation. Shelter in place orders were posted for Alpena and Gaylord, and at least 90,000 homes were without power at the peak of the storm.

There were over 800 storm reports on March 30 alone, with the vast majority of them straight line wind (222) and hail (222) reports (Figure 6). There were 43 tornado reports, and several ended up being confirmed tornadoes. One EF0 tornado and four EF1 tornadoes were confirmed across the National Weather Service’s (NWS) Northern Indiana forecast area. One of the EF1 tornadoes caused damaged to Ancilla College in Marshall County and overturned a mobile home, injuring one person inside. Several more EF0 and EF1 tornadoes were confirmed in Michigan by the NWS Grand Rapids office.

Drought improvements were only slight across the region by the end of the month. Two-thirds of the Midwest were still in D0 (abnormally dry) conditions by March 31, and another third were still under D1 (moderate drought). Most of the improvements through the March 25 update were made in Michigan (Figure 7).